An explosive second half produced four goals and two red cards at the City Ground where Nottingham Forest and Millwall fought out a draw.

David Livermore opened the scoring with the second period just 47 seconds old before Andy Reid produced a spectacular long-range equaliser.

But moments later Forest defender Wes Morgan and Millwall's Danny Dichio were sent off by referee Brian Curson following an off-the-ball altercation.

The three-match ban which comes with that red card could not have come at a worse time for Dichio, with Millwall gearing up for an FA Cup final and a likely play-off place.

There was more excitement to come as David Johnson bagged his first goal since a double leg break sustained in September before Lions substitute Nick Chadwick rescued a draw for the Londoners.

Millwall made the early running as Neil Harris and Dichio combined well on the left before working the ball back to Dennis Wise, who was marginally awry with an 18-yard effort.

Then, just short of the quarter-hour, a sliced Andy Impey shot threatened to cause Millwall goalkeeper Andy Marshall problems before harmlessly landing on the roof of the net.

But Impey found himself in difficulties at the other end moments later as he stumbled and gifted possession to Harris, although the Millwall captain's attempted curler was wide.

Marshall was extended in the 25th minute when he touched Marlon King's header onto the crossbar and then saved a shot from Eoin Jess.

But after the first half ended with a whimper, the second period began with a goal as Livermore broke the deadlock with what appeared an innocuous free-kick floated in from the right.

The ball managed to evade a host of Millwall foreheads as well as Forest goalkeeper Paul Gerrard, who could only watch the ball curl inside the far post.

But the hosts were back on terms in the 55th minute though as Reid embarked on a dribble from midfield before producing a scorching left-foot effort which found the top corner from 25 yards out.

Then temperatures boiled over as both sides were reduced to 10 men when Curson sent-off Dichio and Morgan following their off-the-ball incident in the 64th minute.

Reid and Wise went eyeball to eyeball on the touchline before Forest powered in front. Reid again laid the groundwork before spreading right to King who centred for Johnson to net in the 70th minute.

But there was another twist as, with seven minutes remaining, Chadwick latched onto a loose ball in the Forest box and lashed a rising diagonal effort into the top corner.

Teams

Nottm Forest Gerrard, Impey, Dawson, Morgan, Rogers, Jess, Evans, Williams (Doig 65), Reid, Johnson (Sonner 82), King.

Subs Not Used: Robertson, Roche, Westcarr.

Sent Off: Morgan (64).

Booked: Evans, Jess.

Goals: Reid 55, Johnson 70.

Millwall Marshall, Elliott (Gueret 76), Lawrence, Ward, Ryan, Cahill, Wise, Ifill (Sweeney 65), Livermore, Dichio, Harris (Chadwick 65).

Subs Not Used: McCammon, Hearn.

Sent Off: Dichio (64).

Booked: Wise, Livermore.

Goals: Livermore 46, Chadwick 84.

Att: 22,263

Ref: B Curson (Leicestershire).